Search Results for keywords:"Surface Transportation Board"

Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad, Inc. (CORP) plans to lease and operate a section of railroad line from the Union Pacific Railroad Company, totaling about 27.58 miles in Oregon. This transaction is set to occur after February 8, 2025, following the required notice period and certification. CORP's expected annual revenues from this operation will exceed $5 million, necessitating advance notices to affected employees and labor unions. The agreement includes an interchange commitment, and interested parties can file petitions related to the exemption process.

The Lake Providence Port Commission (LPPC), a non-carrier entity in Louisiana, applied to acquire a 20-mile rail line from Delta Southern Railroad. On December 11, 2020, the Board conditionally accepted the application despite missing financial details, requiring these by December 28, 2020. LPPC submitted the necessary information, including a lease agreement with North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad, enabling the Board to proceed with a scheduling plan for reviewing the application and any competing interests. This decision was finalized to be effective immediately, with public notice to follow in the Federal Register.

On January 22, 2025, Jefferson Partners, L.P., which operates as Jefferson Lines, applied to acquire the assets of Karst Stage, Inc., another passenger bus company. The Surface Transportation Board is tentatively approving this move, allowing Jefferson to continue its operations under a new company, Karst Stage, LLC, while maintaining separate identities but sharing management tasks. The approval is contingent on no opposing comments being filed by April 28, 2025. Jefferson argues this transaction will improve service and efficiency without harming competition or employee interests.

Knoxville & Holston River Railroad Co., Inc. (KXHR), a subsidiary of Gulf & Ohio Railways, is seeking to abandon a 3.8-mile rail line in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. KXHR states that the sole shipper, Ergon Terminaling, Inc., has reduced its use of the line, resulting in revenues insufficient to cover operating costs, which exceed revenue by over 90%. The company has been operating at a loss since 2019 and does not expect traffic to increase. They have notified Ergon of their plans and indicated that the line may be converted for public use, such as a trail. The Surface Transportation Board will prepare an environmental assessment and issue a decision by March 31, 2025.

The Surface Transportation Board reviewed a petition from the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition to build an 85-mile railway in Utah to connect the Uinta Basin with the national rail network. The Coalition seeks an exemption from the usual prior approval requirements, arguing that the rail line will provide critical transportation benefits and support local industries. While there is significant support, including endorsements from state officials, there is also opposition citing financial viability concerns and potential environmental impacts. The Board has made a preliminary decision on the transportation merits but will only finalize its decision after completing an environmental review.

TIP Minnesota Coaches Acquisition LLC, TIP MN Investments LP, and Tiger Infrastructure Partners Fund IV AIV LP are seeking the Surface Transportation Board's approval to gain control of multiple passenger motor carriers, including Marschall Line and Minnesota Coaches. These companies specialize in school and motorcoach transportation services, with operations primarily in Minnesota and extending to neighboring states. The proposed acquisition intends to maintain current services and workforce while potentially expanding the fleet. If no opposition is filed, the transaction will be finalized by February 25, 2025.

The Surface Transportation Board issued a final rule to update its civil monetary penalties by accounting for inflation, as required by federal law. This annual adjustment, effective January 14, 2025, follows a specific calculation method and does not allow for public comment because the Board is following a mandated federal formula. The rule applies only to violations occurring after the regulation's effective date. It also clarifies that the Board has no authority to adjust criminal penalties for inflation.

Avalon Motor Coaches, LLC, along with its affiliates, is planning to acquire most of the assets and contracts of Rose Chauffeured Transportation, Inc. The Surface Transportation Board has tentatively approved this transaction, stating it aligns with the public interest. Comments on the deal are invited until February 24, 2025; if none are received, the approval will become final on February 25, 2025. Avalon plans to maintain the current workforce of Rose and aims to improve service efficiency by integrating Rose's services with its own.

Dover and Delaware River Railroad, LLC (DDRR), a small railway company, plans to amend its lease agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company. This change will not turn DDRR into a larger rail carrier and will involve an interchange commitment. The transaction is set to take effect on January 16, 2025, and people can contest it by filing petitions before that date. The project is exempt from environmental and historical reviews, according to federal regulations.

The Surface Transportation Board has tentatively approved the acquisition of Echo Windy City, LLC, an interstate motor passenger carrier, by TBL Group, Inc., a company that owns several similar carriers. This acquisition will allow Echo Windy to expand its services to include interstate passenger transportation. If no opposing comments are submitted by April 7, 2025, the approval will become final on April 8, 2025. The Board determined that the transaction would benefit the public interest without adversely affecting competition or employees.